Was Da Vinci? Marx? Lenin? Talleyrand? Robespierre? Brilliance begets eccentricities. Larger than life figures are both suitably embellished and larger than life- go figure. You can't have your 'well adjusted individual' by virtue of their education of choice as compared to the environment they grew up in and their own personality. There are a dozen examples of regents who abused their authority regardless of their educational background.
You talk about Napoleon, or Hannibal- but ignore Cincinnatus or Washington? Your biases aren't a valid argument. Yes, there's a possibility of our dragon regent causing problems, but that could have happened anyway and isn't particularly likely to be exacerbated by her education.
After the utter disaster that was the Southern Expedition, you were...hesitant to send another, especially as you were still at war with the thing your explorers had found beyond the Peregrines. But you knew you couldn't hide from the world. The reports of strange ships from the East needed to be addressed. If they were friendly, then perhaps they could assist in the battle against the Shadow King, or at least be open to trade. If they were hostile...well, at least you'd know and be able to prepare for a larger war.
It was for these reasons that you ordered the construction and launching of a pair of caravels staffed with volunteers from the Diplomatic Corps, to map the Eastern Sea and open up diplomatic relations with whatever races and nations they might find. The ships are stocked with all the provisions they can carry in anticipation of a lengthy journey, and sail off beyond the horizon and into unknown waters. The public's views on the expedition is...mixed, but most seem to hold the same pragmatic view as you, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.
You grow concerned as weeks pass with no word from the expedition. The time where their provisions were expected to run out comes and goes. Either they found an island to resupply on, or they have been lost. Some hold out hope but many in the Empire, yourself included, begin to fear the worst. It therefore comes as a surprise when, over a month after they were expected to return to the homeland with empty holds, the two exploration vessels are spotted just off the coast. And they don't return alone.
For alongside your vessels sails a fleet of ships, more numerous than your entire navy, led by what can only be described as a floating palace, sections of its hull inlaid with gold and covered with jewels.
The foreign vessels dropped anchor just outside the harbor at the port city of Aukland as your caravels docked and the explorers on board stated the obvious: they'd made contact with another Kingdom. After you'd received word of what was happening and made your way to the Aukland Docks, you received a much more informative briefing on exactly what was going on.
The exploration/diplomacy teams had stumbled upon your Eastern Neighbors, the Kingdom of Neighpon, only a couple of weeks after departing from your own shores. Their failure to return on time was due their desire to learn the local language and culture, and to seek assistance in the war against the Shadow King. Desires that have all been fulfilled, they tell you, as they try to explain the culture of your sudden new allies in preparation for a meeting with the Emperor of Neighpon, who you are told is aboard the massive palace-ship sitting off shore, and is eager to meet you in person.
As you board a rowboat bound for the Palace Ship (you could fly, but the diplomats caution you against it), you are hastily given a crash course in the language and customs of these Eastern visitors. They are apparently a spiritual people who venerate a race of divine dragons (which the Diplomatic team stresses are most definitely distinct from the dragons you and your people are familiar with) who they claim to be descended from, and are a society bound by a code of honor known as Bushidō. Your explorers tell you that it is this code of honor that compelled them to muster a force to assist you in your conflict against the Shadow King.
As you and an interpreter board the gilded vessel and are escorted to your meeting with your fellow ruler, you learn another thing about these people: much like your Empire, they are a nation of more than one race. While most of the beings aboard the vessel resemble Equine/Reptile Hybrids (Qilin, your guide explains), a few appear to be multi-tailed foxes (Kitsune), Bipedal Raccoons (Tanuki), or Troll-like Giants (Oni). All are clearly sapient, and regard you with curiosity as you enter the interior of the vessel.
As you are led into the inner sanctum of the palace ship, you enter what you assume to be a sort of throne room, empty save for a single obscured occupant. Atop a raised dais sits a heavy curtain with numerous serpent-like dragons adorning it. You are told that, as a descendant of divine dragons, the Emperor of Neighpon is traditionally obscured by said curtain when in the presence of those who may be "blinded by his magnificence."
You are somewhat disappointed by the revelation you won't be able to actually see your fellow ruler face to face, but acquiesce. They came all this way to help you and your people, the least you can do is respect their customs and traditions while a guest aboard their ship.
A measured male voice emanates from behind the obscuring cloth, speaking in the language your diplomats had given you a hurried ten-minute crash course in. You pick out a word or two, but the rest is unintelligible to your ears. Your interpreter serves as a go between, informing you that the Emperor bids you welcome, and that he is pleased to meet a fellow ruler. You relay your feelings likewise, and thank him for making the journey to your lands, as well as offering to lend assistance to you and your people.
You don't understand his response, but your interpreter looks nervous. He's been asked to leave the room. Naturally both you and your fellow Griffon are very confused by this. He knows you don't speak his language...doesn't he? But you dismiss your subject nonetheless. You don't want to risk offending another ruler and risk starting yet another war.
As the door to the room shuts behind you, the silence seems to drag on and on. Was this some sort of test of character? Another tradition? A plot to assassinate you? You weren't sure, but you didn't need to wonder for long. The curtain parts, revealing...well, what you imagine a male version of Gwyndlyn might look like in a couple of decades. A bipedal dragon. One that does indeed bear a marked resemblance to the dragons on the curtain.
And then he speaks. In perfect Gryphonese.
"I apologize for the theatrics. My subjects insist upon such things. But since we are both Emperors here I believe we can dispense with those particular ceremonies. I have to say it's a relief to get to talk to someone who doesn't feel the need to bow their heads to the floor in front of me."
The literal Dragon-Emperor steps down from his dais, moving to speak to you as an equal.
"Your explorers have told me a great deal about you and your own Kingdom, as well as the Mad-Sorcerer who threatens your people with slavery and death. Rest assured, we are here to assist you in defeating him. Such a being is too dangerous to be allowed to exist."
He smiles kindly.
"But where are my manners? I am Kōryū Ryūō, Emperor of Neighpon and first of the waking divines. It is a pleasure to meet friends beyond our shores."
"I am sure you have many questions. As your subjects were so kind as to answer my questions about your Empire, I feel it only fair that I answer yours."
What do you ask him?
[ ] Write-Ins
I was wondering how to fit in all the exposition I wanted to give without it seeming awkward while also getting this out in a reasonable time-frame. I figured a Q&A session with your fellow Emperor would be a neat way to do it. You get to ask five questions, mostly to keep things reasonable, though if I see a lot of really good questions I might expand the number.
Fun Fact: When I first created this Quest I'd assumed people would vote for the Qilin. As such, a lot of the images I gathered in advance were for them. Now I finally have an excuse to use them.
seen as you're asking... How long before our counterattack in your opinion? If we get Yak and Qilin support we should probably do it in two year I'd say, before Sombra can recover from our ultracrit.
Just the time to expand our army (twice!), and make a few more siege weapons. And maybe Orycalchum weapons/armors for the hero units (emperor, waifu, the grandmaster knights) if they come with some bonuses.
Hmmm friendly neighbor 2 willing to help us vs Sombra! This is only excellent news. Also long term if we keep good relations and trade between all of us it can only serve to further keep all of us safe and prosperous.
[X]MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE
[X]Do you have any information for a growing dragon? Don't want to hurt my adopted daughter through ignorance.
[X]Can you tell us of your culture? While I am glad of you offering us help, we do not wish to disturb your politics. Perhaps we can have some trade deals in return for it?
[X] Would you like to meet my wife and kids after this?
should ask about magic, obviously, knowing if exorcising the windigoes for realsies is feasible is important as is if they can think of something that could meaningfully harm sombra even in his incorporeal state.
As you and an interpreter board the gilded vessel and are escorted to your meeting with your fellow ruler, you learn another thing about these people: much like your Empire, they are a nation of more than one race. While most of the beings aboard the vessel resemble Equine/Reptile Hybrids (Qilin, your guide explains), a few appear to be multi-tailed foxes (Kitsune), Bipedal Raccoons (Tanuki), or Troll-like Giants (Oni). All are clearly sapient, and regard you with curiosity as you enter the interior of the vessel.
This might seem strange, but can you remove the Oni? There was a no human rule in MLP. All native fauna are animal. Maybe change the Oni into kappa, Nue, or Salamanders?
The Sphinx for example got it's head changed to be a pony. The only group that got away with human features were Tirek and the centaurs.
This might seem strange, but can you remove the Oni? There was a no human rule in MLP. All native fauna are animal. Maybe change the Oni into kappa, Nue, or Salamanders?
The Sphinx for example got a it's head changed to be a pony. The only group that got away with human features were Tirek and the centaurs.
They aren't human like, they are basically semi-intelligent Trolls who have been convinced to integrate into Qilin society. Like Ogres in warhammer Fantasy
[X]Do you have any information for a growing dragon?
[X]Can you tell us of your culture? While I am glad of you offering us help, we do not wish to disturb your politics. Perhaps we can have some trade deals in return for it?
[X]Is there something your Empire lacks we could trade?
1. Ask about his people. Who are they, what are their culture, how do they live amongst themselves.
2. Ask about honour and gifts and debts. They answer a call to arms for their code. Let us understand the expectation and what we can give in return. (I'd refer to the Yak gifts for the Red casualties here)
3. What are your warriors' ways? How do they fight, how will they fight alongside or amonst ours. How won't they accept fighting?
4. Ask about himself, and his empire. Let us know each other, as rulers and persons, not ideals.
5. Ask about hopes and fears. What does he and/or his people seek, and what do they deny?
They aren't human like, they are basically semi-intelligent Trolls who have been convinced to integrate into Qilin society. Like Ogres in warhammer Fantasy
That's fine, then. You are the Qm. I just felt that no human canon law no matter how little was applicable to this.
[X] What aid exactly can your nation provide in the fight against the dark mage?
[X] What were your people doing during the Time of Discord, and for the last few decades?
[X] What maps of the world do you have? Got any maps from before Discord's reign?
[X] When we first met, your ships didn't try to make contact again, why?
[X] Are you naturally this nice, or is there something you need from my nation?
map: i for one would love to know how the travle was. distance, stops, supplies.
supplies: let no one tell that the griffin emperor is not a good host. what will his army will need in the following time?
hurry up and wait: our invasion plans are still just that, plans. we have not gathered the army, prepared supplie lines or gathered all our fuel or the like. how would our fellow emperor and his army like to spend the MONTHS it will take for us all to truly get ready?
his army: him coming with an army is a suprise (and those diplomats will get a through explanation in what they were and weren't athorized to negotiate) but a welcome one. some general information about the state of his army, their general doctrines and possibility of some stratergizing and joint army training while the muster happens to let the troops familiarize themselves with each other?
command: to be frank. while we will cooperate in this, we know the enemy best, we know the terrain best and we have the supplies. can he and his commanders deal with un being in control?
"I apologize for the theatrics. My subjects insist upon such things. But since we are both Emperors here I believe we can dispense with those particular ceremonies. I have to say it's a relief to get to talk to someone who doesn't feel the need to bow their heads to the floor in front of me."
[X]Could you tell me a bit about your divine dragons ancestors?
[x] Can you talk a bit about the various races that inhabits your kingdom, and how they came to live together in peace?
[x] Can you explain the Bushido your people follow?
[x]Of everything my ambassadors told you of my kingdom, is there anything you're particularly interested in? Technologies and goods suitable to trading between our people? Specific aspects of our culture that fascinate you and yours?
[x] What would be the appropriate response to the help you promised, according to your code? What gift would be appropriate to express my gratitude?
[x] As ignorant of your culture i have to ask: Is there anything specifically that i or my people should avoid doing in your's or your people's presence? Any specific behaviour that might be considered offensive or taboo that i might not expect?
seen as you're asking... How long before our counterattack in your opinion? If we get Yak and Qilin support we should probably do it in two year I'd say, before Sombra can recover from our ultracrit.
Just the time to expand our army (twice!), and make a few more siege weapons. And maybe Orycalchum weapons/armors for the hero units (emperor, waifu, the grandmaster knights) if they come with some bonuses.
It will be longer than that. The Yaks still need to recover, and we need to expand both numbers as well as more heavy and special weapons. We need to make more cannons and balistas as well as increase the army size by at least another 10,000. This time we don't have the militia to help and the Yaks would be lucky to send half of the last number. We need to study the new metal get to know our new neighbors and get as much magical knowledge and trade going between the two of us. Sombra might have been able to attack us before everything was ready before but now it is unlikely he will be ready before we are fully geared up for next round. It might even be a good idea to do the next level of forts and let him smash his army again then follow up with a two-front assault from the North by us and the Yaks, and from the eastern coast from the Neighpons.
[X]Do you have any information for a growing dragon? Don't want to hurt my adopted daughter through ignorance.
[X] Can you tell us anything about ethereal horses of eternal winter and how we can stop them?
[X] We have no magic in ourselves do you have any knowledge that might make the killing or banishing of the Shadow King possible?
[X] How many of your people exist in your home Islands and how much can be deployed for the wars?
[X] What kind of trade deals might be possible between our two peoples? We have many raw resources but don't have many luxury goods so we can't offer exotics only materials.
